[lollum_dropcap]L[/lollum_dropcap]et’s say you wrote a chord progression that you are particularly happy with and you’d like to turn it into a song by adding a melody line.

Which scale(s) should you use to write this melody?

The main thing to look for when matching scales to a chord progression is that each chord’s tones are present in the scales you choose.

Below is an example of how this works.

Chord Tones

Chord tones are the main notes in your scale that connect it to your chord.

You can highlight these notes in your melody by using a couple of different techniques.

Holding chord tones longer than non-chord tones stresses their importance and gives them time to harmonize with the melody.

Another technique involves adding large leaps in the melody from chord tone to chord tone before continuing on with some color notes.

Non Chord Tones

If chord tones are the meat and potatoes of a meal, then non-chord tones are the spices. They add variety and flavor.

You wouldn’t want to eat a whole meal of spices but added here and there they can bring a meal to life.This goes for your melody as well.

The color notes that you add will have a big impact on the sound of your melody line, and there are plenty to choose from.

Let’s check out just a few of the scale options you have for a minor chord alone.